Infant-weighing device.



Patented Jan. 4, 1910.

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"UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

KATE B. HAYDEN, OF COLUMBUS, OHIO.

INFANT-WEIGHING DEVICE.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, KATE B. T'TAYDEN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Golumbus, in the county of Franklin and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Infant-Veighing Devices, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in infant weighing device, which is preferably constructed of soft cloth or other soft material cut into a blank which is adapted to be gathered and arranged in such manner as to form a receptacle of the desired size and shape. This invention is further distinguished by reinforcing or cording the material of the blank, preferably near one of its ends only, to stiffen the same, whereby it becomes a firmer support which more readily retains its shape; further, the edge of the receptacle is reinforced or strengthened by means of a cord which is secured thereon in such manner as to be capable of being drawn, whereby the receptacle is brought into shape and maintained therein, and the cord is adapted to be tied or united at its ends, thereby preventing unintentional enlargement of the receptacle.

\Vith the foregoing and other features and their combinations as the elements of this invention, I show a preferable embodiment of the same in the accompanying drawings which are hereto attached and hereby made a part of this specification, in which Figure 1 shows the receptacle in com pleted form, and Fig. 2, shows the receptacle in its spread out form, disclosing the shape of the blank used in the construction.

l Referring to the drawings in which the same numeral indicates the same part throughout, 1 is the body portion made of cloth or other desirable material, which is gathered at one end as shown at- 2 and is stitched or corded across as shown at 3, whereby a somewhat corrugated appearance is imparted to the material. This cording operation tends to give the material at the indicated end a cup-like form, which has sufficient rigidity to prevent its collapse when the receptacle is suspended, but yet is not sufliciently rigid to be harsh or rough to the face of an infant placed therein. A cord 4 is passed through the elongated loop 5 formed along the edge of the device, the ends (3 and 7 being left free to be secured together in a desired way; the device is Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed October 30, 1908.

Patented Jan. 4, 1910.

Serial No. 160,298.

therefore seen to be brought to its receptacle form. and held therein by means of the cord member, whereby the size of the receptacle is, to some extent, determined, it being apparent that ultimately the size depends upon the blank from which the receptacle is constructed. The extensions (3 and T receive the rings 8 and 9, preferably cloth-covered, and an appropriate spring scale 10 is adapted to engage the rings whereby the device is sus pended when in use.

lVhen an infant is placed in the device, its head is adapted to lie in the reinforced or corded end thereof which is seen in Fig. l to be open above when the device is sus pended; the reinforcement is extended sulliciently when the device is being formed to give support to the body of the infant, but in such manner that it is attended by no discomfort.

The device may be used not only for the temporary purpose of ascertaining the weight of the infant, but may also be employed as a bed for a reasonable period of time, the reinforcement of the head end thereof strengthening the device and maintaining the proper form for this purpose. It is apparent also that the positioning and removal of the infant. may be accomplished very readily with this device. The device further has the advantage of being collapsible to fold the same and pack it into a narrow compass, and further, when the cord is removed, the device assumes a more or less flat form rendering it easily 'ashablc, which is a very desirable feature of a device of this sort.

\Vhen folded, the device is easily carried by a nurse or physician, which is an advantage not possessed by any such device of which I have knowledge.

I am aware that baskets supported on the arm of a dial scale have been employed for this purpose, but I do not claim such constructions.

I desire to claim any variations or modifications of the structure herein disclosed which properly fall within the spirit of my invention.

that I claim is:

1. An infant weighing device formed of a blank of pliable material, and constructed at one end to have a cup-like form open at the top and reinforced in the region of one l end upon its bottom and sides, a cord member loosely confined along the edge of said device and adapted to be manipulated to enlarge or diminish said device, and scale engaging members secured appropriately adjacent to the edge of said device.

2. An infant holding device comprising a pliable member, reinforcing means applied thereto to provide a firm support for the upper body portion of the infant, manipulating means thereon tor enlarging or diminishing said device whereby it is adapted to receive an infant and to be suspended and to prox'ide, while suspended, an opening upon its upper side between the edges thereof.

An infant holding device comprising a pliable body portion stitl'ened near one of its ends and shaped atv said end into a cup-like form, extensions formed on said body portion provided with scale engaging members, a cord member loosely secured along the edge of said device and adapted to be manipulated to enlarge or diminish the same and having its ends adapted to be secured together to maintain the sizeand shape desired.

4. An infant holding device comprising a pliable body portion, means tor sti'tli'ening or reinforcing the same, a cord member loosely secured along the edge of said body portion and adapted to be manipulated to enlarge or diminish said device and maintain the same in the size and shape resulting itron'i said manipulation, and adapted when suspended to form an opening between its edges on the upper side.

In testimony whereof l atliX my signature in the presence ot two witnesses.

' KATE P). llAYDIGf.

itnesses:

A. Roonn, GEO. W. Rion'rnnui. 

